Violent London : 2000 Years of Riots, Rebels and Revolts - Softcover

Clive Bloom

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330483080 ISBN 13: 9780330483087

Publisher: Pan Books, 2004

Synopsis

A superb collection of popular history, charting the story of London through centuries of popular insurrection and protest. The complex and fascinating nature of London has provided fertile ground for bestselling social histories by writers such as Roy Porter and Peter Ackroyd. Yet this is the first time that the capital's 'secret' history has been fully explored-the underground world of radicals and subversives from Boudicca and Wat Tyler to the Anti-Globalisation riots via the Chartists, Suffragettes, Mosleyites and IRA. Violent London is a story of political activism expressed in street fighting and slum warfare, in assassination and bombing, peopled by a fascinating array of demagogues and democrats, lunatics and libertarians, bigots and social revolutionaries. It is also the story of the growth of London as a capital and as a major city, and of the people who live, work, sometimes demonstrate, fight and die in its violent byways. With its strong characters and dynamic narrative, Violent London is a riveting account of past and present conflict, revealing a hidden thread in our living history.

About this title

About the Author

Clive Bloom is Professor of English and American Studies, Middlesex University.

Review

'This isn't just a history of riots and revolts: because each disturbance has to be placed in context, this is a political history which is made all the more interesting because it concentrates on the flashpoints, and the events which caused them. ' - The Guardian

' [an] ambitious and erudite chronicle of protest in the capital assiduously researched...' - The Times

'Clive Bloom's rigorous examination and analysis of radical protest in the UK throughout the ages stretches across 600-odd pages, and justifies every word. Acts of violent rebellion in the distant past are discussed, with their relevance to modern times cleverly pointed up, and Bloom colourfully evokes insurrections from AD 60 onwards. Little wonder, in fact, that JG Ballard was generous in his praise for an earlier edition of the book.' Barry Forshaw, The Good Book Guide

Reviews of 1st edition (Pan):

'An exhilarating rush through countless riots, insurrections and full-blown street wars...written in a racy and accessible style...As I read this superb history, I looked out at my quiet suburban garden, disappointed not to hear the sound of trumpets.' - J. G Ballard, Daily Telegraph

'A breathless but exhilarating journey from Boudica to such recent events as the aftermath of September 11th and the march of the Countryside Alliance, Bloom's viewpoint is nicely balanced, critical of government and especially of the police, but not unreasonably so, and not too passionately keen that the rebels should win every time.' - Times Literary Supplement

'Seamless, full of information, connections and insights.' - Juliet Gardiner, BBC History Magazine

' [A] masterful study.' - Max Dunbar, 3:AM Magazine

'Clive Bloom's rigorous examination and analysis of radical protest in the UK throughout the ages stretches across 600-odd pages, and justifies every word. Acts of violent rebellion in the distant past are discussed, with their relevance to modern times cleverly pointed up, and Bloom colourfully evokes insurrections from AD 60 onwards. Little wonder, in fact, that JG Ballard was generous in his praise for an earlier edition of the book. Violent London is a thoroughgoing literary exploration of London's 'secret' history, from the world of radicals and subversives (including Wat Tyler to the Anti-Globalization Movement via the Gordon Riots, the Cato Street Conspirators, the Suffragettes, Mosleyites and the IRA)'. - Barry Forshaw, Good Book Guide

Edition details

• Publisher: Pan Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0330483080
• ISBN 13: 9780330483087
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 597